Having A Heart To Heart At The Ultimate Coffee Date

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If we were having coffee, I would want to have a heart-to-heart talk about the importance of taking care of yourself. If you haven’t heard how I learned that lesson the hard way, please check out one of my posts about the blood clot (DVT) I ignored for several weeks because I was on a business trip, and then it was Thanksgiving, and then ….

I really thought I knew better now, but just last week I caught myself putting off my health again. I was chiding a friend for being reluctant to treat her exercise-induced asthma when I realized that I never made that follow-up appointment with my pulmonologist that I’ve been meaning to make since January.

Lawyers Have Heart 2016

One reason I finally made that appointment is to make sure I have an unexpired albuterol inhaler to use before the Lawyers Have Heart 10K next weekend. This is the one 10K that’s always on my race calendar because while I don’t like racing in the summer, and the course isn’t very scenic, I am a lawyer, and I do support the mission of the American Heart Association.

Dad

The first time I dedicated this race to a loved one, I ran in honor of my friend’s father, who had recently survived a stroke. After I recovered from my DVT, I ran to support the AHA’s programs that raise awareness of the symptoms of blood clots, and how to prevent them. Since my Dad died of sudden heart failure, I’ve been running in his memory.

If we were having coffee, I would make sure you are aware of the unique stroke warning signs for women.

If we were having coffee, I would ask how many of these steps you are taking to reduce your risk of heart attach and stroke.

If we were having coffee, I would ask you to help spread the word and promote heart health by heading over to my Lawyers Have Heart donation page and making a donation to the American Heart Association. This infographic shows what a difference your donation can make!

American Heart Association

Please click through the image and make a donation!

Are you good about taking care of yourself?

Did you know that breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or light-headedness can be symptoms of a heart attack?

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26 Responses to Having A Heart To Heart At The Ultimate Coffee Date

  1. Oh my gosh, DVT I have heard about those and blood clots. I am always getting checked out and making sure I am okay. I actually had a scare last month with my heart and had some tests done. We just never know and even though we are active and staying fit and healthy, anything can happen. Keep getting check ups and never feel silly about seeing your doctor and asking questions.
    Great coffee information post Coco

  2. I am pretty good about going to the doctor and making sure things are good. We have such a great healthcare system in France. However, it is true that I sometimes drag my feet before making an appointment. Thanks for the reminders !

  3. So few women have no idea that heart disease is the #1 killer of women.

    I’m good at taking care of myself, but not good at going to a regular dr, if that makes sense.

  4. Great reminder! I just had a mom telling me this week about her experience with DVTs and running. She actually ended up with bilateral PEs. Pretty scary.

  5. Marcia says:

    Great reminders. I’m pretty good about making dr appointments but there’s an overdue mammogram I need to take care of.

  6. So much important information! Thanks for the reminder Coco. I like to think that I do a pretty good job taking care of myself , but there’s always room to do better. Thanks for hosting coffee!

  7. Bless your heart. Thank you for the reminder that some times it’s time to take a step back and get serious every once and awhile.

  8. Yes so important to keep up w our check ups! I was just bugging my sister about her mammogram appt. I seem to never be in town for the Lawyer’s Have Heart race! Great cause to support for sure. Hope you have better weather for it. Always great to have coffee with you!

  9. I need improvement in this area. I have been putting off a check of the girls for months now. Thanks for the reminder, we do need to take care of ourself! Appreciate coffee Coco!

  10. HoHo Runs says:

    Thanks for the reminders Coco. Having a history of heart disease and cancer in my family, I’m usually pretty good about my appointments. I was late getting my mammogram and bone density test this year. I was just being lazy…but I kicked myself when I realized what I was doing and got it done. We’ve got to be proactive when it comes to our health! Thanks for coffee!

  11. Karen says:

    Why is it so hard to just make an appointment? I ask myself this often, I put things all the time. I have even put off going to the Doc when I am really sick.
    A small part of me feels like too often the Doc will say, lets wait and monitor things.
    I lost my Dad to a heart attack.
    It is a good reminder we all need, it seems women have less obvious symptoms.

  12. Steph says:

    DVT terrifies me. My mum had a DVT a couple of years ago, and it really worried me as both her parents had strokes and died from the effects of it, and it broke my heart to think that she could be taken so quickly from us. Am I good at looking after myself? Not really, I definitely need to invest more in doing so, as I notice that the older I am getting, there are things I wish I had done in terms of looking after me a bit more when I was younger.

    Thanks for hosting!

  13. Great reminder! It takes more than regular exercise and diet to make sure we are really staying strong! We just have to make time and go, easier said than done for a lot of us though 🙂

  14. I had a DVT in 2011. It took 3 months for a diagnosis (b/c I was not on a long haul flight, sedentary, a smoker, etc.) I went from a 1:40 half marathon in May to not being able to run one 8 minute mile in June. It was really scary. I was told I had a number of issues (and I am sure hypochondria was on some doctor’s minds!) I am grateful for my health and ALWAYS follow through on aches and pains. Glad that you came through OK, too!! I will check out your fundraiser, too!

    • Coco says:

      Wow, it’s scary that took so long to diagnose. That shows that we have to be persistent too. They didn’t think I had a DVT but did the exam once I mentioned “flight to Australia.” They didn’t think my leg looked swollen or red (although it felt swollen to me) and were surprised by the doppler exam results.

  15. You’re absolutely right – it’s so easy to forget to take care of yourself. Even if you’re very physically active, sometimes the stress can cause more harm than good. I hope you have a great race! AHA is such a great cause.

  16. Pingback: June ~ Ultimate Coffee Date #BetterLateThanNever - Better Late Than Never

  17. Farrah says:

    Oh man, I’m so sorry to hear that you got a DVT! :[!!! I hope you’re doing better now, and thanks for sharing all this valuable information! <3

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